Sarah Hall

The recent announcement of the Civil Society Covenant marks a new era of partnership between Government and civil society that will drive forward plans to foster closer collaboration in tackling some of society’s most pressing issues. The Covenant, which will launch in the New Year, seeks to establish a new relationship with the third sector and will support the delivery of the Government’s missions as well as our ambitious project of reform to public services so they deliver for working people.

No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks. The Government continues to engage with various stakeholders about fireworks regulation and the impact of fireworks. I have met with a wide range of stakeholders, including charities such as Combat Stress and the RSPCA, other MPs, representatives from fireworks retailers including major supermarkets, convenience stores, and trade associations as well as Trading Standards.

I am carefully considering all the feedback received.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.

Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.

Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

UK product safety law requires all products to be safe before being placed on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards coordinates targeted and intelligence-led interventions at our ports and borders with Local Authority Trading Standards, HMRC, and Border Force to prevent unsafe products entering the UK. In 2023-2024, this resulted in more than 2.4m goods being blocked from entry.

Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to update our product safety framework. Following Royal Assent, we intend to consult on the duties of e-commerce businesses, so that consumers and compliant businesses are even better protected.

Regardless of employment status, individuals who had their Horizon-related convictions overturned, or were prosecuted but not convicted, are eligible to apply for redress through the Overturned Convictions Scheme or Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme. Postmasters who were part of the 2019 group litigation against the Post Office are eligible for redress via the Group Litigation Order Scheme, whilst those not in any of these groups who suffered mainly shortfall losses may seek redress via the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).

Individuals who were employees of the Post Office, or those who were employed by a business partner of the Post Office or a postmaster in branch, unfortunately are not eligible for redress under the HSS. This is because they did not have a direct contract with the Post Office. We are, however, continuing to look actively at potential gaps in the provision of redress which may prevent individuals who were affected by the Horizon scandal from being able to claim redress.

The skills passport is an industry-led project that seeks to support Oil and Gas workers to transition into roles in the Offshore wind sectors. Currently there are no plans to transition such workers into the nuclear sector through this passport. However, the passport will provide a solid foundation for either expansion into other sectors such as nuclear in the coming years, to make such a transition possible.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK has the necessary skills needed to deliver our nuclear ambitions including through supporting the industry led National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills. The Plan is delivering fifteen projects supporting various aspects of the nuclear sector skills demand including two projects to attract and retain people from other industries, including Oil and Gas. The Destination Nuclear national communications campaign promotes the opportunities available in the sector and acts a centralised job board for the industry; and the Career Switchers project will provide nuclear upskilling support for those entering the sector with relevant engineering, trades support and business skills.

Standing charges cover the costs energy suppliers take on to provide consumers with electricity, which vary by location, and although these levies are a commercial matter for suppliers, and are regulated by Ofgem, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them.

The Government has worked constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges, and we are committed to lowering the cost of them. Ofgem’s recently published discussion paper sets out the options for how standing charges could be reduced, including by moving some supplier operational costs off standing charges onto the unit rate, increasing the variety of tariffs available for consumer in the market, and in the longer term, reviewing how system costs are allocated. Ofgem's publication can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/call-for-input/standing-charges-domestic-retail-options.

We will continue to support Ofgem in this work and ensure that standing charges are reduced.

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government set out the government’s vision for digital services across the whole of the public sector. Earlier this year, the Government Digital Service ran a sprint looking at how GDS should work with and support local authorities to achieve this vision.

The sprint found the challenges that local authorities face in data sharing and the IT market and considered how GDS products, services and capabilities could support local government.

Following the sprint, GDS is establishing a programme of collaboration with local government to support local transformation.

GDS is leading work to improve the way we share, govern and use data across government and the wider public sector. Strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure is one of six priorities identified in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.

This includes developing guidance, standards and tools for fast and secure data exchange, such as a mandate for the publication of a standard set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by public sector organisations, and the creation of a National Data Library to manage public sector data as a national strategic resource.

We are also driving forward use of the data sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to target and improve public services to citizens as well as addressing barriers to data sharing more widely.

The GOV.UK app, which launched into public beta on 1 July 2025, embodies our vision of a government that provides a personalised and proactive experience which meets people where they are, bringing together access to central and local services into one secure place. The app’s local authority feature will allow you to input any UK postcode and add a shortcut to the relevant local council on your app home screen, including local councils in devolved nations. This content will develop over time.

Officials continue to work closely with teams across government departments and local authorities to ensure joined up user journeys and consistent experiences across platforms.

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) offers a standardised method for public sector bodies to publish information on their use of algorithmic tools. Its use is mandatory for all government departments and for Arms Length Bodies providing public or frontline services, or directly engaging with the public. The ATRS applies to algorithmic tools which significantly influence public decision-making or directly interact with the general public. It is also recommended for algorithmic tools and public authorities outside this mandatory scope. Over 70 records have been published, ensuring safeguards for various algorithmic tool uses across government and the wider public sector.

The Government plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. By design, Government will not be keeping a record of where credentials are used.

GOV.UK One Login allows citizens to safely and securely prove their identity to access government services online. Privacy is at the core of its design; it is compliant with UK data protection and privacy laws.

In addition, measures on digital verification services (‘DVS’) in the Data (Use and Access) Act create a legislative structure of standards (the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework), governance and oversight for DVS that wish to appear on a government register, so that people will know what a good digital identity looks like.

The trust framework includes rules on privacy, data protection, and fraud management, building on existing industry standards and legislation where appropriate, to ensure user needs are put first.

There are creative industries clusters and micro clusters in every part of the UK and they , all of which are equally crucial to the delivery of our Growth Mission. We are keen to ensure that there are no cultural not-spots in the country and that everyone has an equal chance to pursue a career in the creative industries whether they live in a major metropolitan area or not.

The new 10-year Creative Industries Sector Plan seeks to tackles barriers to growth and maximises opportunities across the Creative Industries sector throughout the UK. As part of this, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority will also receive shares of the £150million Creative Places Growth Fund which can be used to support the Creative Industries in local towns in the North West.

Arts Council England (ACE) supports organisations through their National Portfolio (NPOs) programme which provides funding of over £450 million a year to arts organisations across the country, many of which provide programmes in local community settings. Between 2023 and 2026 almost £50 million per annum will be invested into organisations in the North West through the NPO programme, including in areas outside major city hubs.

The British Film Institute (BFI) works with a network of partners across the country, including the North West, both to administer funding and to deliver activity under their ten-year strategy, Screen Culture 2033. For example, through the BFI’s National Lottery Screen Clusters Fund, Screen Manchester and Liverpool Film Office, as partners in Screen Alliance North, have received funding to support below-the-line skills and training activity across the North. This includes workshops with industry professionals for students at Warrington Vale Royal, helping to connect them with local employment opportunities.

There are creative industries clusters and micro clusters in every part of the UK and they , all of which are equally crucial to the delivery of our Growth Mission. We are keen to ensure that there are no cultural not-spots in the country and that everyone has an equal chance to pursue a career in the creative industries whether they live in a major metropolitan area or not.

The new 10-year Creative Industries Sector Plan seeks to tackles barriers to growth and maximises opportunities across the Creative Industries sector throughout the UK. As part of this, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority will also receive shares of the £150million Creative Places Growth Fund which can be used to support the Creative Industries in local towns in the North West.

Arts Council England (ACE) supports organisations through their National Portfolio (NPOs) programme which provides funding of over £450 million a year to arts organisations across the country, many of which provide programmes in local community settings. Between 2023 and 2026 almost £50 million per annum will be invested into organisations in the North West through the NPO programme, including in areas outside major city hubs.

The British Film Institute (BFI) works with a network of partners across the country, including the North West, both to administer funding and to deliver activity under their ten-year strategy, Screen Culture 2033. For example, through the BFI’s National Lottery Screen Clusters Fund, Screen Manchester and Liverpool Film Office, as partners in Screen Alliance North, have received funding to support below-the-line skills and training activity across the North. This includes workshops with industry professionals for students at Warrington Vale Royal, helping to connect them with local employment opportunities.

There are creative industries clusters and micro clusters in every part of the UK and they , all of which are equally crucial to the delivery of our Growth Mission. We are keen to ensure that there are no cultural not-spots in the country and that everyone has an equal chance to pursue a career in the creative industries whether they live in a major metropolitan area or not.

The new 10-year Creative Industries Sector Plan seeks to tackles barriers to growth and maximises opportunities across the Creative Industries sector throughout the UK. As part of this, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority will also receive shares of the £150million Creative Places Growth Fund which can be used to support the Creative Industries in local towns in the North West.

Arts Council England (ACE) supports organisations through their National Portfolio (NPOs) programme which provides funding of over £450 million a year to arts organisations across the country, many of which provide programmes in local community settings. Between 2023 and 2026 almost £50 million per annum will be invested into organisations in the North West through the NPO programme, including in areas outside major city hubs.

The British Film Institute (BFI) works with a network of partners across the country, including the North West, both to administer funding and to deliver activity under their ten-year strategy, Screen Culture 2033. For example, through the BFI’s National Lottery Screen Clusters Fund, Screen Manchester and Liverpool Film Office, as partners in Screen Alliance North, have received funding to support below-the-line skills and training activity across the North. This includes workshops with industry professionals for students at Warrington Vale Royal, helping to connect them with local employment opportunities.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set by MHCLG as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following the Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.

‘Safe standing’ has been a licensing option for all professional football grounds currently subject to the all-seater policy since July 2022.